Heartburn, also known as acid reflux can be both a painful and worrisome condition. Although occasional heartburn is not uncommon, recurrent heartburn can affect your health, eating habits, and even your sleep patterns. Dr. Daniel Alpert can help. Keep reading to learn more about recurrent heartburn in New York, NY.
What Causes Heartburn?
If you are suffering from heartburn or acid reflux you might have wondered what causes this condition in the first place. Reflux is a condition caused by an overproduction of stomach acid. When there is an overproduction of stomach acid, it will travel up the esophagus. Stomach acid is very strong and the soft tissue of the esophagus is not designed for long-term exposure to this acid. A painful sensation will result.
Symptoms of Reflux
The symptoms of acid reflux in New York, NY, can vary from person to person, but in most cases, the following symptoms will be present:
- A stinging or burning sensation in the chest and throat
- Acid coming up in the mouth
- Sleep disturbances
Many people seem to see the most severe symptoms at night when they are trying to rest. This can sometimes be caused by the fact that most people eat their heaviest meal in the evening before bed.
How To Help Recurrent Heartburn
There are a few things you can do at home to help relieve your acid reflux in New York, NY. One of the best ways to treat your reflux is to be careful what you eat. Certain foods will make this condition much worse. Foods that are very acidic, such as tomatoes and citrus, tend to make reflux worse.
Another way to help yourself is to avoid eating late at night. If you eat late at night and then go to bed, there is more chance of stomach acid coming up the esophagus. Eat early in the evening and wait before lying down. Some people find that sleeping somewhat propped up can also help reduce the instance of reflux.
If your reflux does not go away on its own, you may want to consider visiting the doctor. A doctor will be able to evaluate your condition to determine if medication is needed. There are several medications that can help lessen the severity of acid reflux in New York, NY.
If you would like to learn more about this condition, please contact Dr. Alpert at (212) 599-7910.